STATE OF BUSINESS: Facts & Figures, Oct. 11, 1948

Cheaper. It looked as if the cost
of foodthe biggest component of the cost of livingwas finally
heading down. In its mid-September index of crop and livestock prices,
the Department of Agriculture reported a three-point drop to 290
(1909-14 average: 100), the second drop in two months. The Journal of
Commerce's wholesale food index also dropped half a point.

Prosperous Pennsy. The Pennsylvania Railroad Co., which had to dip into
reserves last April to pay a 50¢ dividend, was doing well enough by the
end of August to pay another 50¢ out of...